With nearly 3,000 recipients and over $50 million in scholarship funds awarded since 2015, the Live Más Scholarship’s (LMS) impact on students extends far beyond financial support. When you consider the difference these students have made in their local communities because of the scholarship, the value is immeasurable. To showcase this impact, the Taco Bell Foundation is featuring a “Where Are They Now?” series, with the first installment highlighting how [3-time LMS recipient] Heidi Estrada’s personal experiences motivated her to advocate for marginalized groups.
As the eldest of three sisters, family has always been a central part of Heidi’s life. When her parents discovered that her younger sister Stacy was deaf at just six months old, the Estrada household quickly turned into a trilingual environment. Having immigrated from Mexico, Heidi’s parents not only had to adapt to learning English, but now had to learn American Sign Language as well. Despite this linguistic challenge, the Estradas remained resilient. The difficulties Stacy faced navigating the hearing world ultimately inspired Heidi to pursue a legal career aimed at finding solutions to similar challenges. Heidi’s passion for law led her to George Washington University, where she could be at the heart of the nation’s legal and policy decision-making.
When Heidi heard about the Live Más Scholarship, it stood out to her because it didn’t require an essay, and the video format made her feel like they could truly get to know her and her story. The value she gained from the scholarship went far beyond the check – it included workshops to build interview skills, insight into networking strategies, and many mentorship opportunities.
The Live Más Scholarship has been able to support the ambitions of all three Estrada sisters, with each of them receiving scholarships from the Taco Bell Foundation to fuel their passions. Heidi’s setting her sights on an exciting new chapter: attending law school. “I hope that in the future I can make a positive impact on people,” Heidi shared. “All I hope is that I leave people off in a better spot than where I found them.”
Hear more from Heidi on her amazing story and why you shouldn’t wait another moment to apply for the Live Más Scholarship before the application closes on January 8, 2025.
The Taco Bell Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity. For more information visit www.tacobellfoundation.org